City cops list steps to ensure women safety

In a timely imitative, the Bathinda zone police have decided to take measures for women safety to avoid a repeat of incidents like the Delhi gangrape. Inspector general of police (IGP), Bathinda zone, Nirmal Singh Dhillon came up with a new plan of action to curb crime against women in the region on Sunday.

Dhillon announced that a women helpline desk in each of all seven districts under the zone will be set up. The zone comprises Bathinda, Mansa, Muktsar, Fazilka, Faridkot, Ferozepur and Moga districts.

The women helpline will be attended by women operators only, so that a victim can lodge her complaint without hesitation. The superintendent of police (detective) has been appointed as nodal officer of the helpline in each district for proper disposal of complaints, the IG said.

Apart from the women helpline, police have also decided to organise awareness seminars and camps in school and colleges on issues related to women. "The main aim behind organising these camps is to educate girls about their rights and power given by the constitution to them. There is a need to encourage girls so that they can speak against any such activity, which offends them," said Dhillon.

Police have also decided to put feedback boxes in every girl school and college. "Girls will be able to drop a complaint without mentioning their name, as girls, sometimes, shy away from disclosing the matter in front of police and culprits roam freely after committing crime. Complaint from this box will be sent to the station house officer of the police station concerned in the area. After receiving the complaint, an inquiry by an SSP-level officer will be done," said Dhillon.

He also announced that to keep special vigil on eve-teasers, 10 special mobility police squads comprising women constables will be set up.

"It has also been decided to set up women grievances redressal committees to take care of problems of girls and women in every district. The committee will be headed by the senior superintendent of police. Principals of educational institutions and other socially active people of the district will be taken as members in committee," said Dhillon.

The IG added that: "We will leave no stone unturned to protect women in the region and will not tolerate girl abuse. Strict action will be taken against culprits found involved crimes against women in the region."